CRICKET

Middlesex all-rounder Neil Dexter clearly has somewhere to be on this Friday eve. He has just taken three Nottinghamshire wickets in an over to put his side on the brink of a crushing opening victory at Trent Bridge. Notts, who lost James Taylor, Riki Wessels and Chris Read in the space of six Dexter deliveries, are currently 73-7 in their second innings and need another two runs to avoid an innings defeat.Keep on top of all the county action via our scorecentre

4/12/2013 2:50:23 PM

FOOTBALL

Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes has insisted that he will not ask former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola for advice before facing the Spanish giants in the Champions League semi-finals. Guardiola will take over from Heynckes in the summer at the Allianz Arena after taking a year out of the game.

Respect me and my work. I have never consulted anyone or asked for advice. I do not need anyone to study an opponent.

RUGBY UNION

Premiership-chasing Nottingham Rugby have been buoyed by news that head coach Martin Haag has agreed a new two-year deal. Chief executive Simon Beatham has expressed his delight, insisting their season is far from over.

We have reached the semi-finals for the first time ever this season and our campaign is far from over. It comes as a huge boost that Martin has signed a new deal leading up to one of the most exciting months in the club's proud 137 year history.

4/12/2013 3:12:15 PM

FOOTBALL

Hearts have warned that Scottish football is in serious danger of a speedy demise if reconstruction plans are not voted through next week.

Hearts believes, as one of the most established and largest clubs in Scottish football, that it has a responsibility to the game in this country and that the new proposed 12-12-18 structure, while by no means perfect, delivers a series of important improvements.

RUGBY UNION

This is my first professional contract and I'm really excited about it but at the same time I know this is where the hard work really kicks in.

4/12/2013 3:35:32 PM

FOOTBALL

Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez is confident his side can cope with their fixture pile-up and progress to two cup finals. The Blues will face Swiss side Basel in a two-legged Europa League semi-final but before then they face Manchester City in an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on Sunday.

We've tried to manage our squad and we have players with some fresh legs. Hopefully we will be fine. We have too many games and we have to use the squad. Everyone has to be on their toes.

FOOTBALL

Ahead of Sunday’s Tyne-Wear derby, Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has expressed his desire for Sunderland to remain in the Premier League next season. The Magpies can heap pressure on Paolo Di Canio’s Black cats with a home win at St James’ Park, live on Sky Sports 1HD.

Sometimes, the north-east gets a little bit left to one side. The Manchester clubs get a lot of attention and London clubs do, and it's nice that we have raised the profile of north-east football.

RUGBY UNION

It is another busy weekend of Aviva Premiership action.Sale will be aiming to move one step closer to safety against Gloucester while London Welsh have rung the changes ahead of the visit of Northampton Saints.For all the latest team news click here!

4/12/2013 3:58:00 PM

CRICKET

Yorkshire are battling away against Sussex despite staring defeat in the face. Ryan Sidebottom has just hit Monty Panesar for six at Headingley, although the home side still trail by 83 runs with only three wickets remaining.Click here for today's county scorecards.

4/12/2013 4:07:21 PM

FOOTBALL

[ssn]New Leeds manager Brian McDermott has been speaking to Sky Sports News after he was appointed on a three-year deal at Elland Road today. The boss admits he did not expect to be back managing so quickly after his dismissal at Reading.

I thought this may come in the summer and not this quick but it just feels right for me. There’s probably no club I would have gone to apart from this one. It just feels absolutely right for me.

McDermott says he has picked himself up after the disappointment of being sacked by Reading is focused on moving forward with Leeds.

I had to pick myself up for about three days. After that, I just wanted to move forward. That’s how football is. Obviously it was a shock to me at the time. But all I’m doing now is looking forward and looking ahead.

4/12/2013 4:12:56 PM

4/12/2013 4:17:49 PM

FOOTBALL

The Uruguay Football Association have said they will launch a "strong defence" of Luis Suarez after FIFA began disciplinary proceedings against the striker for allegedly punching an opponent. Uruguay FA president Sebastian Bauza has spoken out on behalf of the Liverpool frontman on South American governing body CONMEBOL's website.

Suarez is being persecuted by different football leagues, mainly the English, and we think this is unjust because it's a normal action in football. We will defend him very strongly. We are working with all the videos and pictures showing Suarez reacted to an initial aggression from Jara.

As we did on Thursday, we have had another series of 'positive' meetings with potential investors into the football club on Friday. We can also confirm that the potential investors are also genuine Bury supporters and are as committed to the long term future of the club as the board of directors are.

4/12/2013 4:54:33 PM

RUGBY LEAGUE

Hull KR chairman Neil Hudgell has denied suggestions skipper Michael Dobson could be on his way to St Helens. The club even hope to extend his current contract.

We would hope to be in a position as a club further down the line where we can look at extending Michael's deal beyond the end of next season.

4/12/2013 4:55:16 PM

FOOTBALL

Here's more from new Leeds manager Brian McDermott, who is confident he has inherited a squad capable of avoiding relegation from the Championship this season.

I'm always confident in myself and I've got good staff here. I'm confident in the players and we are going to do the best we can over this period of time. It just feels absolutely right for me.

Have your say on McDermott's appointment - #skysportstoday @skysports

4/12/2013 5:13:24 PM

FOOTBALL

Brendan Rodgers' claims that failure to qualify for the Europa League may be a blessing in disguise have divided the footballing world.Pete Halldiscusses the merits of his theory, and how European competition has affected another top-four hopeful.

RUGBY UNION

Despite all the records, I am afraid that the IRB has decided that we are not eligible to compete in the knock-out stages of the European RWC qualifiers.

4/12/2013 5:29:19 PM

RUGBY LEAGUE

London Broncos' Luke Dorn talks about the pros and cons from the Easter weekend's action. The Australian could not believe some of the scores on offer.

Some of the scores on the Monday were phenomenal. If the Rugby Football League wants attacking footy, then they definitely got it on that day!

4/12/2013 5:34:03 PM

FOOTBALL

[soccersaturday]The Soccer Saturday boys return to our screens and look back at a dramatic week across Europe, the rise of football technology and the troubles at the top and bottom of the Premier League tomorrow from 12pm on Sky Sports News HD.

FOOTBALL

Reading host Liverpool in the Premier League tomorrow and Royals manager Nigel Adkins has hailed Reds 'talisman' Steven Gerrard ahead of that clash, insisting he is up there with the best.

He's a talisman for Liverpool and always has been. He drives them on and is a leader, taking a grip on the match when he needs to. When you talk about midfielders there are different types, but he's one you'd consider being in a starting XI of any all-time Premier League team.

CRICKET

It's close of play of day three in the Country Championship. There are several interesting matches developing in both divisions.Yorkshire have just forced a day four against Sussex, Nottinghamshire have given themselves a chance of victory against Middlesex.Somerset have an excellent chance to beat Durham while Warwickshire's clash with Derbyshire could well end in a draw. Click here for all of today's reports.

4/12/2013 6:29:47 PM

PAPER TALK

[pt]For all the best lines from the evening press check out our Regional Paper Talk feature. Here's a few snippet's from tonight's back pages:

LONDON EVENING STANDARD: Andrey Arshavin insists he is not ready to retire from football but says it is "clear" he will be leaving Arsenal.

CHRONICLE LIVE: Hatem Ben Arfa has revealed he is "100%" committed to Newcastle United. The French star poured cold water on speculation linking him with a summer move to Liverpool - or anywhere else.

THIS IS SOUTH WALES: Liverpool and Arsenal are both on the trail of Swansea City's Ashley Williams, it has been reported.

THE BOLTON NEWS: Bolton have told Marcos Alonso they will not pay more than they can afford to keep him. Dougie Freedman is keen to keep the ever-improving full-back at the club next season amidst heavy interest from Fiorentina, Celtic, Stoke and Swansea.

4/12/2013 6:38:51 PM

FOOTBALL

Our live game tonight is Leicester v Birmingham in the Championship on Sky Sports HD2, while elsewhere Accrington take on Morcambe in League Two. Follow those games and action across the foreign leagues via our Score Centre.

4/12/2013 6:40:55 PM

FOOTBALL

Tottenham midfielder Sandro says he is on course to recover from a serious knee injury in time to be fit for next season.

I've got three months to go. I've started to run, I'm developing. Sometimes I try too much and the knee swells up. I have to listen to the doctor. I have to give the injury enough time, but I dream that I am playing.

4/12/2013 7:21:40 PM

HALF-TIME UPDATE

In the Championship it's Leicester 1 Birmingham 0 at the break thanks to Curtis Davies' 12th-minute own-goal, while in League Two Peter Murphy has fired Accrington Stanley to a 1-0 lead over Morecambe. For the latest from all of tonight's action visit our Score Centre.

4/12/2013 7:38:06 PM

FOOTBALL

Chelsea midfielder Ramires is hoping to reach the UEFA Europa League final and take on former club Benfica after both teams reached the last four of the competition. The Brazilian departed the Portuguese side for Stamford Bridge in summer 2010.

I actually would like to return to the Estadio da Luz (Benfica's stadium), where I was very happy but if I was to play against Benfica, I would prefer it to be in the final. It would be wonderful to see my friends again and the club, who I am greatly associated with. Now we will work hard to see that it happens. It won't be easy for us or for Benfica.

4/12/2013 7:44:31 PM

FOOTBALL

With Millwall's FA Cup semi-final with Wigan at Wembley looming tomorrow, today's Missing Men takes a look back to the last time the two sides met in March 2005, when Wigan secured a 2-0 Championship win. Try your luck at guessing the Latics XI.

4/12/2013 7:53:37 PM

FOOTBALL

In our latest Football League Spotlight, Chris Burton catches up with Tranmere goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams as he talks play-off hopes, third tier competition and future plans.

We have played MK Dons and I think they are the best team we have played against all season. But there is nothing to say that they will go up or that they will get a play-off spot. It could be absolutely anyone. You look at Doncaster, everyone thought they are going up, all of a sudden you have got your Bournemouths, Brentford, all of these teams looking at automatic. I wouldn't like to say who is definitely in the mix.

4/12/2013 8:17:36 PM

FULL-TIME SCORES

It's all over in our live game tonight with the Championship clash ending Leicester 2 Birmingham 2, while Accrington Stanley have beaten Morecambe 2-0 in League Two. Stay with us for the full match reports and all the reaction.

4/12/2013 8:41:16 PM

CLOSE OF PLAY

That's it for Sky Sports Today for this evening, thanks for tuning in. Join us again on Monday morning for all the latest sporting news and debate.